MAGISTRATES have told a 14-year-old boy he is lucky not be locked up after being caught with £800 worth of heroin and crack cocaine.

The youth, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to possession of class A drugs with intent to supply at a hearing at on Wednesday.

The teenager, from Winsford, was carrying 38 bags of heroin and 39 bags of crack cocaine - in addition to a small quantity of cannabis - when police stopped him in Northwich at about 1pm on October 10.

The defendant was walking up London Road towards the town centre with a friend when a police car drove past. Vale Royal Youth Court heard he became nervous as a result of seeing the car and started acting suspiciously.

Police officers saw the defendant attempt to hide an object down his trousers and following a search he was arrested and taken to North-wich police station.

Each of the 77 bags found stuffed down the defendants underwear were found to contain class A substances, with a street value of about £10 each.

Chris Johnson, defending, told magistrates: 'He is not a persistent offender and he has been prepared to admit his part in proceedings,' he added.

Chairman of the bench Michael Cooper told the defendant: 'Al-though you are only 14 you knew what you were doing.

'The court takes an extremely serious view on drugs and the effects they have on other people - it is only the fact you are 14 that is keeping you out of prison.'

The youth was given a 12-month referral order, and must attend meetings with a selected panel to 'aid his rehabilitation'.